– Holds 2025 AGM, Valedictory Session, and Investiture of New Fellows
Poised to dismantle persistent bottlenecks in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and the supply value chain, the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) has expressed its readiness to lead discussions on leveraging the intersection of pharmaceutical innovation and national development. The goal, according to the Academy, is to drive meaningful change in drug availability and medicine security across the country. The Academy noted that Nigeria’s backwardness in this critical area is a significant contributor to the rising cost of medicines and the nation’s ongoing economic challenges.
The Academy identified key areas of innovation within the pharmaceutical sector, including the digitalisation of the supply chain, investment in the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for local drug manufacturing, and a comprehensive review of the Pharmacy curriculum. It emphasised that these initiatives are capable of transforming the current state of pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria and are expected to significantly boost job creation, revenue generation, drug availability, and overall economic growth.
Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai, NAPharm vice-president 2, made these remarks during a press conference announcing the Academy’s upcoming events, including the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Valedictory Session, and Investiture of New Fellows, all scheduled to hold from 15 to 16 October at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba.
Yakasai, who is also the Kachallam of Kano, provided a detailed breakdown of the event itinerary. He stated that the AGM, which is traditionally a closed-door session, will take place on Wednesday, 15 October, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Valedictory Session in honour of the late Pharm. Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, CFR, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on the same day.
“We shall pay glowing tributes to one of the founding fathers of Pharmacy in Nigeria. This visionary demonstrated exemplary leadership and left behind an enduring legacy of integrity, innovation, and service,” he asserted.
On Thursday, 16 October, the Academy will host the Investiture of Fellows, presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards, and a Public Lecture at 1:00 p.m. The keynote address, titled “Pharmaceutical Innovation: A Catalyst for National Development”, will be delivered by Mr Wale Oyedeji, group managing director, FBN Holdings Plc. “This flagship event will formally induct 14 new Fellows, confer 4 Lifetime Achievement Awards, and recognise 6 Honorary Fellows,” Yakasai added.
The NAPharm Vice-President 2 emphasised that the 2025 events are not just routine calendar activities but a celebration of excellence, heritage, and transformation. “This is a moment for us to reflect on the progress we have made, to honour the visionaries who laid the foundation of our profession, and to reaffirm our collective mission of advancing pharmacy and healthcare for the good of our nation,” he said.
He commended the choice of the event theme, describing it as timely and highly relevant, given the urgent need for pharmaceutical innovation in Nigeria. He particularly stressed the importance of investment in API production as a cornerstone for achieving self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical manufacturing, making a passionate appeal to Alhaji Aliko Dangote to consider expanding his refinery operations to include petrochemical production, which is vital for local API development.
“For us to be truly self-sufficient, we must invest in the local production of APIs. That’s where the petrochemical industry plays a critical role. That’s why we’ve been appealing to Alhaji Aliko Dangote to incorporate petrochemical facilities. There is no reason why we should have crude oil and yet remain unable to process our own APIs. If Dangote can develop the petrochemical segment, I can assure you that with APIs, we can achieve self-sufficiency. But without APIs and excipients, we will remain dependent on imports. Self-sufficiency will continue to elude us,” he stated.
Yakasai also lamented the state of infrastructure, funding deficiencies in the manufacturing cycle, and the urgent need for technology transfer and partnerships with advanced economies. He identified these as critical areas that must be addressed through pharmaceutical innovation in order to drive national development.
Echoing Yakasai’s views, Dr Lolu Ojo, NAPharm director of programmes, highlighted the transformative impact of technological innovation across industries such as media and banking. He argued that the Federal Government has not given sufficient attention to the pharmaceutical sector—an industry he believes could become the engine of Nigeria’s economic recovery if properly harnessed.
He cited Hoffmann-La Roche, a Swiss multinational healthcare company, as an example. “That single company made a turnover of about 59 billion US dollars in 2024. If converted to naira, that’s approximately 20 trillion. Imagine the impact if Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry were developed to such a level,” he said.
“Government is doing something, which we appreciate, but they need to do more. The pharmaceutical sector requires focused attention, deep, deliberate focus. In fact, it can be the source of the economic revival we are searching for. Let’s begin with petrochemicals so we can produce APIs right here in Nigeria. Let government direct meaningful attention to this sector, and the entire nation will reap the benefits,” he asserted.
